Frank entered the US Army in 1946, at the age of 14 and served until the Army dismissed him as a fraudulent enlistee by his 16th birthday. During this enlistment he served in various infantry units, namely the 1st Cavalry Division as a Rifleman and the 24th Infantry Division as Gunner (60 MM Mortar) and Infantry Squad Leader.
Enlisting again on his 17th birthday (1948), Frank served a 24-year career in the Army. He completed 22 years as a Special Forces Operative, from 1950 until retiring from the Army in 1972. Frank earned the rank of Sergeant Major with assignments in Japan, Korea, Vietnam (10 years), Germany and several classified locations worldwide. He earned numerous service medals and specialty badges. His citations include the American Occupation Medal of Japan, 3 Bronze Star Medals (one for valor), the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medals (5 awards), Armed Forces Evacuation Medal (Berlin), Army Commendation Medals, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam campaign Air Medal. Frank earned several major qualification badges including the Sr. Combat Infantryman’s Badge w/2 Stars (for combat in Korea, Vietnam and Panama), Sr. Special Forces Operators’ Badge, Master Parachutist and Jumpmaster Badges.
Throughout his enlistments, Frank completed numerous education and training courses to enhance his Army career. He earned the High School General Education Development (GED) Certificate and college credits in Political Science through the University of Maryland. He is a graduate of the Arabic Language Institute and Army Language School where he learned to speak Arabic. In addition to Arabic, Frank became proficient in English, Spanish and German. His major training courses include Air Transport Program, Basic Airborne and Jumpmaster, Military Justice, Code of Conduct, Chemical-Biological and Radiological Warfare. Frank was also an avid HAM Radio Operator (licenses K7UAB and DL5QH) and a member of the American Radio Relay League.
After retiring from the Army (1972), Frank employed for 35 years as Project Manager throughout Asia and the Middle East with various defense contractors. These include Litton Industries, United Support and Services Co., the Saudi Services and Operations Co., Joe Bell Inc. and Brown and Root.
He is survived by his wife Maria of 33 years and 4 children, Edna, Lewis, Leila and Michael (deceased), and 7 grandchildren. Burial services will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. at the Southern Arizona Veterans memorial Cemetery, 1300 S. Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista.